OK, guys, should I ditch the 96 FWD 850 wagon for a XC? the 850 has 65K on it, nice tires, still a joy to drive. I don't run snow tires on it, and it is not my snow car-which is a Chev 3/4 ton monster with studded tires and horrible mileage. Part of me really wants to drive one car, one with better mileage that like 12, which would be good in any weather. I dread getting stuck somewhere when the weather changes and having the wrong vehicle.

Am I being stupid to think about this? We're talking some $10-12 more for a xc-do you all think they are worth the money, or not? The only thing I really hate about my car is the location of the window stuff on the middle console-it is sooooo lame. Or should I just spend a little bit and buy some good studded tires and drive the volvo in all but really deep snow?

Thanks everyone....

aimee, not sure where you live, but here in the Boston area I am very happy with my FWD S70 and winter tires (I chose Michelin Pilot Alpins for their H-rating and good dry handling). I often pass SUVs, XCs, Quattros, etc. in my S70 during snow storms. Not sure if those drivers do not feel secure in their vehicles, but I have plenty of margin when I pass them in my front wheels drive car. If you are happy with your 850 the wise thing to do would be to keep it. I noticed that with Volvos, the same year and model of the car has a 50-50 chance of being a really good trouble-free can or a big nightmare. So, if you got a good one, hang on to it, it will probably last a good long time (at 65K miles it is just broken in). I find FWD with (appropriate for your area) winter/snow tires are more than adequate and comfy and economical and stylin'.

Good luck with your decision

Thanks all-I live in Central Oregon, which has a fair bit of snow, but more ice. The 86 seems to be a good car, it's only problem inthe 2 years I've had it are brakes, and now that it's been sitting idle in the garage for the last 2 weeks of snow, it has a power drain somewhere, and it was dead. Ooops, that's easily fixed.

I had been oggling myinlaw's 99 xc, but not anymore-will stick with the 850 turbo-in fact my husband and I did the math of the Chev 3/4 which gets 12 mpg and the volvo which gets 20 (lots of intown driving, I'm a mom*G*)....I put higher octane in the 850, so that's an extra 10cents a gallon, and the cost of snow tires on rims vs the cost of fuel in the truck even out over the 4 year life of the tires. Will just drive the truck when necessary-the Volvo has great Dunlops on it-really like them a lot. (I think they are high performance ones)

Anyway, thank you all for helping us see the light of the Volvo XC's and their scary awd systems....with 2 older Toyota Landcruisers and an '01 Chev truck, this IS a no-brainer, thanks for the support.

aimee

I would pass. Snow tires are more effective than the AWD system in the Volvo's. The Volvo AWD system in not noted for it's refinement or reliability. I own an AWD Volvo and it gets fuel mileage that is barely better than some SUV's. Count on 17-19 mpg in mixed driving, low 20's on the highway. Besides it sounds as if your 850 has plenty of miles left in it. You be money ahead to keep what you have and get some snow tires for it.

"should I ditch the 96 FWD 850 wagon for a XC"

NO! You'll be VERY sorry in the long run if you do. Fix the nice 850 and be happy. In Volvoland, newer and especially more driven wheel is NOT a good thing IMHO. I'm planning to keep, buy used, maintain, restore (whatever) older cars for as long as I can.

I have 4 studded Vredestein Snowstars on steel rims for my T5, I don't think they'll last the entire season, their 4th, so I need to order a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 1s ... thanks for reminding me.

$600 vs. $12,000 and no bevel gear to fry. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

-Groundhog

'98 V70T5M, 83k mi. IPD stabilizer bars, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, cracked fog light (sniff)